In 1992, the Azerbaijan State Center of Standardization and Metrology (AZGOST) was formed under the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. It was the national organization for standardization. In accordance with Presidential Decree of December 2001, the standardization and certification system was subject to reforms and restructuring. The Standardization Center and the State Committee for Science and Technology were merged into a newly established State Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Patents. The Agency entirely inherited the rights and responsibilities of the former Standardization Center and, additionally, obtained the functions of authority responsible for the regulation of the patent matters.

In 2007, the Azerbaijan Standards Institute was established by the State Agency on Standardization, Metrology and Patents. It carries out state policy on the application of scientific-technical progress results in the field of standardization and certification within its competence and functions approved by the Agency.

In 2008, State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patent (AZSTAND) was established by the Presidential Order No. 53 and it replaced the State Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Patent. Its tasks and responsibilities are set out in the Statutes of the Committee approved in 2009. According to the Statute, the State Committee is the central executive body responsible for implementing the state policy in the sphere of technical regulation, standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation, quality management and protection of industrial property objects.

The main tasks of AZSTAND in the field of standardization are:

Publication of state standards, international (regional) and interstate standards, national standards of foreign countries

Management and improvement of state fund of normative acts on technical regulation and standardization

Taking measures on protection of consumer market from low-quality, dangerous and counterfeited goods

Cooperation with international organizations

AZSTAND is a member body of ISO, affiliate member of CEN, member of Codex Alimentarius and participates in the Affiliate Country Programme of IEC.

In 2010, an Enquiry Point and Notification Body was established within the State Committee according to WTO/TBT requirements. It is responsible for provision of notification and related documentation to Azerbaijan¿s WTO partners of any proposed new or amended technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures that could have an impact on trade; information management for technical enquiries on a variety of topics, including: national, foreign and international standards; Azerbaijani and foreign technical and conformity assessment procedures etc. and can be accessed through the email address enquiry@azstand.gov.az.